The House passed a bill on Wednesday.

The bill says AI data centers must pay for their big energy needs.

The vote was 417-3.

This was likely the last day for lawmakers in Washington before the midterm elections.

The bill would ask state utility regulators to think about a rule.

The rule would make data centers pay the full cost of new power and grid upgrades they need.

Supporters called the bill a "modest first start."

They said it protects families and businesses from higher utility bills.

The bill is only a federal suggestion.

States still have the power to control their electricity markets.

Rep. Frank Pallone is the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

He said the bill is only the beginning of work on these issues.

Some lawmakers want a full stop on AI data centers until safeguards are in place.

More than 100 Democrats signed a letter this week.

They asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the House in session.

They want Congress to pass real AI safeguards first.

Johnson said the bill "strikes the right balance."

He said it protects local communities and keeps America at the cutting edge of AI development.

The debate showed different views on data centers.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said a data center in Richland Parish in his home state gave bonuses of up to $50,000 to local teachers.

The money came from more tax collections.

Pallone said Americans have real concerns.

He said President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders have pushed those concerns aside.

A new poll came from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

It found nearly two-thirds of Americans are extremely or very concerned about data centers' impact on energy prices.

And 57% are extremely or very concerned about the impact on water supplies.

Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., is the bill's sponsor.

He said the U.S. can either build out its power systems to meet demand or depend on countries like China for its digital infrastructure.